Blue Jay

(Cyanocitta cristata)

Where: Richmond, VA • Glidewell Rd.

Notes: I really like the pose of this year-round resident as it stopped off for an early drink at the birdbath. As the morning amber light struck this Jay, it both illuminated it's blue iridescent plumage and helped from overexposing the photo at the same time. Yellow light is an opposing color to blue light, so the two colors of light can neutralize each other. The same is true for magenta and green light as well. The blue appearance of this species is actually caused by refracting sunlight on its gray feathers, not blue coloring in the feather itself. I am often asked about what can be done when a hawk starts hanging around someone's backyard birdfeeders. Hawks occasionally do this to hunt some of the smaller songbirds attracted to the feeders. "Peanuts", I answer. Put out peanuts, the kind in the shell (non-salted), and the Blue Jays will come. When they come, they will chase off any loitering hawks. They typically eat nuts, seeds, soft fruit and sometimes insects.

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Birds, like all other animals, prefer habitats that meet all their basic survival needs: food, shelter and WATER! They depend on water to condition their feathers for flight, to help maintain their body temperature, for hydration, and for hygiene. A landscape with a consistent, clean running water source will attract both a greater number of species and a higher count of birds. This especially applies to the many migratory and insect-eating species too. The Bird Spa is a low maintenance water feature, designed specifically for birds. Has ATTRACTED 80 DIFFERENT SPECIES at a single location in central Virginia!
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